The Estonian national team could not maintain their lead in their opening game of the World Cup qualifying and ultimately lost to Israel, 1-2, in Hungary. The only goal for Estonia was scored by Maksim Paskotši, marking his first goal in his 34th international cap.
In their previous three encounters, Estonia had lost all matches against Israel without scoring a single goal. Aiming to change this trend, manager Jurgen Henn included three players from the Premium Liiga in his starting lineup, while the others played in European leagues. Notable players included 23-year-old forward Alex Matthias Tamm, who had scored four goals and provided one assist in seven league games for his new club, Olimpija Ljubljana, as well as captain Karl Jakob Hein, the goalkeeper for LaLiga’s Real Valladolid.
The game began with Israel dominating possession, but Estonia managed to score first! In the 10th minute, Rasmus Peetson delivered a long ball from the right wing into the penalty area. Maksim Paskotši capitalized on the opportunity, and his left-footed shot found the bottom corner of the goal, guarded by Daniel Peretz. This goal was notable as it was Paskotši’s first for the Estonian national team and the first ever scored by Estonia against Israel.
However, Estonia’s lead was short-lived. In the 23rd minute, Israel equalized when Dan Biton’s long-range shot hit the post and unfortunately rebounded off goalkeeper Hein’s back into the net.
Things worsened for Estonia when Karl Jakob Hein suffered an injury following a collision with defender Marten Kuusk. The Estonian captain could not continue and was substituted at the beginning of the second half.
Israel intensified their pressure in the second half, and Estonia was fortunate not to be down a goal. However, the tide turned in the 75th minute when Israel took a well-deserved lead. Manor Solomon caught the Estonian defenders off guard, slipping a clever pass to Eli Dasa, who moved inside the box and sent a precise shot past substitute goalkeeper Igonen into the bottom left corner.
In an attempt to recover, Estonia brought on new players, including 34-year-old Henri Anier, who made his 100th appearance for the national team, becoming the 16th Estonian to reach this milestone.
Despite their efforts, Estonia could not equalize, and Markus Soomets received a second yellow card, leaving Estonia with only ten players on the field. Thus, Estonia began its FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a disappointing 1-2 defeat.
Estonia’s next match will be on Tuesday. They will play an away game against Moldova, who suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat to Norway in their first qualifying match.
Israel vs Estonia – 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Hein 23′ (Own goal), Dasa 75′ | Paskotši 10′
Yellow Card: Peetson 36′ Soomets 40′ Anier 90′ Red Card: Soomets 87′
EST: Hein (Igonen 46′) – Peetson (J.Tamm 82′), Schjonning-Larsen, Paskotši, Kuusk – Kait, Poom (Anier) – Soomets, Yakovlev (Hussar 59′), Sinyavskiy – A.Tamm (Saarma 82′)
Estonian National team for the upcoming games:
Goalkeepers
Karl Jakob Hein (13.04.2002) – Real Valladolid (ESP) 37/0
Matvei Igonen (02.10.1996) – Plovdivi Botev (BUL) 16/0
Karl Andre Vallner (28.02.1998) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 4/0
Defenders
Joonas Tamm (02.02.1992) – Plovdivi Botev (BUL) 65/4
Maksim Paskotši (19.01.2003) – Zürichi Grasshopper (SUI) 34/1
Märten Kuusk (05.04.1996) – GKS Katowice (POL) 34/0
Rasmus Peetson (03.05.1995) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 20/1
Michael Schjønning-Larsen (02.02.2001) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 9/0
Kristo Hussar (28.06.2002) – Tallinna FC Flora 5/0
Joseph Saliste (10.04.1995) – Paide Linnameeskond 4/0
Tanel Tammik (14.06.2002) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 0/0
Midfielders
Mattias Käit (29.06.1998) – FC Rapid (ROU) 57/8
Vlasiy Sinyavskiy (27.11.1996) – FC Slovacko (CZE) 40/1
Martin Miller (25.09.1997) – Paide Linnameeskond 37/2
Markus Poom (27.02.1999) – Tallinna FC Flora 30/0
Mihkel Ainsalu (08.03.1996) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 21/0
Markus Soomets (02.03.2000) – FC Den Bosch (NED) 16/0
Kevor Palumets (21.11.2002) – Podbrezova Železiarne (SVK) 10/1
Ioan Yakovlev (19.01.1998) – Panionios (GRE) 7/1
Patrik Kristal (12.11.2007) – FC Köln (GER) 2/0
Dimitri Jepihhin (28.10.2005) – AS Trencin (SVK) 0/0
Forwards
Henri Anier (17.12.1990) – Lee Man (HKG) 100/23
Rauno Sappinen (23.01.1996) – Tallinna FC Flora 55/12
Alex Matthias Tamm (24.07.2001) – Ljubljana Olimpija (SVN) 13/2
Robi Saarma (20.05.2001) – Paide Linnameeskond 6/0